Lock nut



Nov. 29, 1927.

E. Z. COLE LOCK NUT Original Filed Jan 3, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 NQV. E. Z. CQLE LOCK NUT Original Filed 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 ,651,187 E. Z. COLE LOCK NUT Original Filed Jan. 23, 1924 3 S fits Sh'ei 3 E; M67122?" Zdwyrz 2&Z .2? I

Patented Nov. 29, 1927.

. UNITED STATES 'PATENTFOFIFICE.

ELWYN Z. COLE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

LOCK NUT.

Application filed January 23, 1924. Serial No. 688,033. Renewed September 22, 1927.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in look nuts, and has for its object to provide an exceedingly simple and effective device of this description which will provide for the setting of the nut at any position on its bolt and looking it against retrograde movement.

A further object of my invention is to provide for the ready unlocking of the nut so that it may be backed off without injury to any of the parts.

.With these and other ends in view, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, may understand how to make and use the same, I will describe its construction in detail, referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which Fig. 1, is a side elevation of a nut in position upon a bolt showing one form of my invention.

Fig. 2, is a side elevation of a portion of the nut.

Fig. 3, is an end view of the bolt showing the spline grooves therein.

Fig. i, is a face plan view of the locking washer.

Fig. 5, is an edge view of Fig. 4. Fig. 6, is a face View of the nut. Fig. 7, is an inner plan view of the retaining cap. i Fig. 8, is an edge view of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9, is an elevation of a slightly modified form of my invention the retaining cap being broken away to show the operating parts in position.

Fig. 10, is a perspective of the retaining Fig. 11, is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 9, showing a further modification of my invention.

Fig. 12, is a plan view of the split ring washer utilized in the construction shown in Fig. 10. i V

Fig. 13, is an edge view of Fig. 11. Fig. 14, is a face view of the nut shown in Fig; 11.

Ia plan View of the locking washer used in the construction shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 16, is a section at the line 1616'of Fig. 15. i

Fig. 17,is a bottom plan view of the re taining cap. used in Fig. 11.

c Fig. 18, is an edge view of Fig. 17.

Fig. 19, is a plan view of a still further modification of my invention.

Fig. 20, is a side elevation of Fig. 19, a portion of the retaining cap or housing being broken away to show the arrangement of theparts of the device inposition. y Fig. 21, is a perspective of the retaining cap or housing used in the construction shown in Figsf19 and 20.

In carrying out my invention as embodied in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, 1 representsa nut having a hub 2 formed therewith and this hub has the teeth or serrations 3 formed upon the face thereof said teeth being preferably in the form of ratchet teeth.

l. represents a locking washer which has formed upon its inner face a series of teeth or serrationsfi adapted to engage with the teeth 3 upon the hub and this locking washer is provided with the spline lugs 6 adapted to run in the spline grooves 7 formed lengthwise of the bolt 8 upon which the nut 1 is threaded. p

9 represents the retaining cap which in this particular form of my invention consists of a disc having the strips 10 formed therewith and bent at right angles thereto, each of said strips carrying a lug 11 at the lower end thereof which may consist of a pin secured therein in any suitable manner.

These pins are adapted to pass into the bayonet slots 12 which are formed diametrically opposite each other in the hub 2.

13 represents a spring preferably a conical spiral spring and this spring is interposed between the top of the retaining cap and the outer face of the locking washer so that when the lugs llare locked into the bayonet slot this spring will serve the double purpose ofholding the teeth 5 into engagement with the teeth 4 and also preventing the accidental displacement of the lugs 11 from the slots 12 as will be readily understood.

From this description the operation of improvement will be obviously as follows The nut having been: run the bolt Washer and the retaining cap is forced down- Ward against the spring so as to partially compress the same When the lugs 11 are in the offset portions o f ltl1e bayonet slots hen the parts arethus assembled the nut herun doyvnward upon thebolt until its inner face has jammed against the \verl; intended tobe held during which operation the teeth 3 Will slide under the teeth 5 alter the manner of a ratchet but when the nut has been 'scr evve'd hoiiie it cannot be hacked or? since the teeth 5 engaging ivit li the teeth 3 illprevent any retrbgrade movement of the nut and since the looking asher l is prevented from reiolyi'ng independent of the balm beiore described are nut cannot be acclden l displaced.

When ,is-d esi'ife'd to remove the nut itis only nece ,to torce the retaining cap slightly dow ward and turn itupon its axis until the lugs 11 come into alignment tvith the vertical portioi iof the bayonet grooves ashes this cap maybe removed giving free access forthe removal 0'1"; the spring 125 and the locl'iing Washer, Latter which the nut may he readily Joa'cked oil,

In Figs. 9 anct o, Ih'ave shown a slightly modifi d form ofjiny invention asabovedescribe; jaif dija Which the retainingca'p 9 is in the form of a, housin 'wiihich completely encloses the springlbcking asher and the greaterportionoLthe hub 2 so that yvhen de viceis,assembled and in use'the parts are'prote'c ted. p v

In Figs. ll t o l8'inclusiv'e, I have shown a still further modification of my inyention in which thehuhQ has an annular rew; ll formed aroniid its circumference the retainiflgc ap 19% havingiits 'armslO formed as V i .l h o .to prov de shoes 15 adapted to fit llltO fiflld groove said arms being sufficiently res lient tojpermit the shoes to he sprung over the upperjedge ofthe hub in to the groove.

k, this i"'. o rn1 my invent on instead of using a locking was ier having iatchetteeth termed h e I Prefei' at. t bl WLl181iAz be ,o f a metal softer than the metal of which the nut, is inade so that hf; serrations or file teeth lfiupon the face of the hub 2 this Washer when brought contact ,W lth SHlCl serrations vill perthe embedding of said serrations in its .surtace so as to prevent any retrograde movement (if the hut. Also in this form of my invention I prefer to use a split ring spring/ 17 which tvh en forced against the locking t v asher by theicap 9 will occupy comparatively small space seas to make the assembled device exceedingly compact.

Another advantage of this construction bolt a gainst ,in dependent is that the file like serrations 16 When embedded in the locking Washer Will hold the nut [against rotation in either. direction Which in certain classes of Work very desirable since the nut may be locked with- .outiheing; jammed against surface.

When it is desired to unlock a nut embodying this "form of my invention a suitable tool such as a screwdriver is inserted beneath the shoes or the arms carrying said shoes and saidshoes are pried outward so as to clear thegroove ll'andpe iiit the cap tobe drawn from the btilt anid the split ring spring; and l'o'ol'rin'g vvas'her also rei l- J v 1 I In the modification inveiition shovvii in Figs. 19 to 21 inclusive, Iprovid 'a he C r Wthe e v 0 assi tant t6 fit overthe iit 1 While a turret2l) fhriiied with said ap is adapted t enclose for house the projecting end of the 'bo'lt 8. spring arm 21 is formed from the Body of the cap by the slots 22 and the ltivver of this spring arm is turned inward to produce the locking 1115123 the latter being ada ted to face ofth'enut. v HY I l/Vlieiithis form of tl' e invent'ioii is he any desired form of spring and loclti Washer m e l ze i it h Fig-.20 I Bari;

utilized the soft metal washer P and the split riiigrz. H j, x I

When it is desired to remove this foriii of cap a pointed, tool is insertedthrojugh the hole 25 andthea mfll sprung butivard to a degree that win free the lug fr'oin the notc h 24c and thus permit .the Withdrawal of the cap for unloclring the ut- 5,. Heretofoi'e greet, iClifiicul tyhas eh ex periemced,v in loclginga hut upon ho 't so as to'preteiit any retrograde movement oi said nut and at the sagne time perm tthe removal of the niit wheiio'ecasioii required, but l havl'e' entirely overcome thisv disadvanenga'. "c with the notch 24 forihed iii the inner tage by the several simple constructions here shown all of which embody the principle of utilizing, a lookiiig ji asl r and held by the I phat-mead a re taming cap held to the suchmaniier as to permit the eilec'tive action of spring in holding the locking washer in engagement tvith teeth or serrations upon the nut.

01" course I do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction as herein shown as these may be varied ttit'hin' the limits of the appended claims Witlibut'departingfro n thespirit of my invention Having thus fully described inventihn, What I claim as new and useful is::

lock nut comp'risi a nut having serrations, a bolt on ivhich said iiiit is threaded, said bolt having spline grooves therein, a locking {meter liaving'serrations for engagement with the serrations on the nut, lugs carried by the washer adapted to run in the spline grooves, a cap adapted to be locked to the nut or unlocked therefrom, and a spring interposed between the cap and locking washer.

2. In adevice of the character described, a bolt having lengthwise spline grooves therein, a nut adapted to thread upon said bolt, a hub formed with the nut, ratchet teeth formed upon the face of said hub, a locking washer splined upon the bolt, ratchet teeth formed-upon one face of said washer, said teeth adapted to engage the teeth upon the hub, a cap surrounding the hub and enclosing the washer, lugs carried by said cap 15 v for engagement with bayonet slots formed in the hub whereby said cap may be locked t and unlocked from the hub, and a spring interposed between the top of the cap and the washer for forcing the teeth of the 20 ELWYN 2. come. 

